Category: Adventures in Programming

EXPANDING NEWS

A number of stations are also expanding their news coverage during the COVID-19 public health emergency. NBC-owned WMAQ has expanded its 6 p.m. weeknight newscast to a full hour. The additional half-hour bumps the ...

FOX MOVES

 Fox Corporation Monday announced it has completed the previously announced purchase of Seattle stations KCPQ-TV FOX 13 and KZJO-TV MyNetworkTV 22 as well as Milwaukee station WITI  FOX 6 from Nexstar Media Group . ...

SOMEONE BLINKED…

Sinclair went eyeball-to-eyeball with YouTube over the issue of compensation for the 21 regional sports networks it bought from Disney last year. YouTube promptly informed its subscribers that the RSNs would be dropped beginning ...

NFL: CHANGES AHEAD

NFL owners and the NFL Players Association are likely nearing a collective bargaining agreement after owners approved the terms Thursday. Media companies and the NFL have been waiting for the CBA’s approval before negotiating new ...

A FOUL START

Chicago TV Critic Robert Feder says folks in the windy City weren’t to thrilled with the launch of the Marquee Sports Network. He writes: “The Chicago Cubs and Sinclair Broadcast Group had more than ...

BLACK NEWS CHANNEL LAUNCH

The nation’s only African American news network, based in Tallahassee, launched nationwide Monday. Founded by chairman J.C. Watts Jr. and CEO Bob Brillante, the Black News Channel (BNC) represents the African American community in mainstream media. The network ...

NEWS NATION

Nexstar Media Group, which bought Tribune Media in September, is launching a nightly three-hour national newscast on cable channel WGN America based in Chicago. Competing with established cable news networks such as CNN and ...

MSNBC CHANGES?

MSNBC talent and staffers are bracing for a major 2020 shakeup amid discussion of moving ratings-challenged Chuck Todd to a morning slot and execs talking with Fox News escapee Shepard Smith. The goal of any ...

SOUL STREAMER

Fox Television Stations (FTS) Tuesday debuted Fox Soul, a live, interactive and advertisement-supported OTT streaming channel, positioned for the African American viewer. The channel’s programs aim to “celebrate black culture and highlight the real ...

NEXSTAR SIGNS WITH NIELSEN

Nexstar Media Group said it signed a multi-year deal with Nielsen. Nielsen will provide measurement services for Nexstar’s 197 television stations and digital subchannels in 115 markets, and national ratings for WGN America. “Nexstar’s ...

JACKPOT

Disney backed up its claims that Disney+’s first-day glitches  were the result of high consumer demand, revealing Tuesday that the streaming service had hit 10 million signups since its Nov. 12 launch. CEO Bob ...

CBS-VIACOM DIGITAL

CBS and Viacom Monday announced senior appointments for ViacomCBS’ content and digital leadership. The appointments, will enable ViacomCBS to deliver on its distinct competitive position as one of the most important content producers and ...

STREAMING HOT FOOD

If you happen to be a Food Network fan,  you’ll love Wednesdays announcement from Discovery: “We are thrilled to announce the launch of Food Network Kitchen, a first-of-its-kind direct-to-consumer product with exclusive streaming technology ...

RELENTLESS

Relentless with Kate Snow premieres on Oxygen Friday, October 4. Kate Snow hosts, and each episode examines stories where everyday citizens tirelessly pursue justice for their loved ones. “Through emotional testimonials and exclusive interviews, the ...

ON THE ROAD

WHO, Tribune’s NBC affiliate in Des Moines, Iowa, is packing up and hittin’ the road all this week for RVTV 2019, the station’s annual week-long Iowa/Iowa State tailgate party. TV NewsCheck reports this is ...

FULL COURT PRESS

Gray TV, announced Wednesday it will launch a new weekly program this Sunday at 6:30 a.m. called “Full Court Press with Greta Van Susteren.” Gray’s Chief National Political Analyst, Greta Van Susteren, will host ...

NEXSTAR VS. FCC

FCC chairman Ajit Pai on Friday sought approval from his colleagues to order the go ahead for Nexstar Media Group Inc’s acquisition of Tribune Media Co in a $6.4 billion tie-up, reports Reuters citing a ...

TEGNA RUMORS

Apollo Global Management LLC has approached Tegna Inc. about a deal as the private-equity firm looks to bulk up its ownership of television stations, according to The Wall Street Journal citing people familiar with the ...

CBS GOES DARK

CBS, “the nation’s most-watched television network”, went dark for more than 6.5 million AT&T customers early Saturday after the two media giants couldn’t agree on a new contract.  The NY Times reports the network was ...

MEREDITH VS. DISH

Despite a one-day extension made in hopes they could hammer out a deal, about 17 TV stations in a dozen markets owned by Meredith Corp. went dark to Dish subscribers Tuesday, adding to a growing list of station ...

THE $69 MILLION QUESTION

Friday’s late-day news dump included the completely-expected news that “Megyn Kelly Today” would not be returning to NBC’s programming schedule. Instead, Kelly will continue to collect her $23 million annual salary while sitting at ...